After arriving at LAX at about 4:30 p.m., President Obama pumped a few bucks into the local economy by making a surprise appearance at Roscoe's House of Chicken 'n Waffles on Pico Boulevard. The restaurant was full of diners when the president walked in and order the No. 9 -- the Country Boy comes with three wings and a side (the president ordered candied yams) for $9.

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Rep. Karen Bass, D-Los Angeles, joined Obama at the counter. He greeted customers in each booth, shook hands and posed for pictures.

His next stop was the home of movie producer James Lassiter. Supporters paid $35,800 to attend the Hancock Park fundraiser, at which Obama spoke about the different between his re-election campaign and his first campaign for president.

"Back then, it was still fresh and new,'' Obama said. "I didn't have any gray hair. Everybody loved the 'Hope' posters and all that. This time, we've got to grind it out a little bit. We've got to grind it out. But the cause is the same. And my passion is the same. And my commitment is the same."

Attendees included actor Will Smith, who starred in Lassiter's film "Hitch,'' and former Laker Magic Johnson. Obama discussed the mortgage refinance program and said homeowners would be able to refinance at lower rates, so they would have more money to "shop, go to Will's movies'' and patronize Johnson's businesses.

Obama then went to the nearby home of actors Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith for a fundraiser organized by the Futuro Fund, a group of Latino supporters of Obama. "Desperate Housewives'' star Eva Longoria, a co-host of the event, introduced Obama by saying that he "speaks to the Latino community because he knows he's the president of all Americans.''

About 200 people attended the event, at which the president said "we've got much work left to do.'' Obama said he keeps a check list in his desk and that he has accomplished "about 60 percent'' of his goals.

"I'm pretty confident we can get the next 40 percent done in the next five years,'' Obama said.

Tickets for the event ranged from $5,000 to $35,800. The upper price was determined by the contribution limits of $2,500 for a primary campaign, $2,500 for a general election campaign and $30,800 for a national party committee.

Obama has made eight visits to the Los Angeles area since being elected president. He has spoken at political fundraisers during all but his first visit. Of the eight trips, this is the third that includes an event other than a fundraiser.

The first visit on "The Tonight Show" included a gaffe when he said his bowling score -- 129 -- "was like Special Olympics, or something.'' Obama called Special Olympics Chairman Timothy Shriver to apologize.